St. Thomas University College of Law Dominates Florida Mock Trial Competition with Top Two Finishes

St. Thomas University College of Law Achieves Historic Success

In a remarkable display of legal prowess, the St. Thomas University (STU) College of Law triumphed in the 2025 Florida Justice Association (FJA) Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition held in Orlando, Florida, from November 7 to 9. Notably, both defense teams from STU advanced to the championship round, ultimately facing off against one another for the coveted first and second places among a highly competitive field that included top institutions such as the University of Miami (UM), Florida International University (FIU), Florida State University (FSU), Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Stetson University, Barry University, Jacksonville University, and Loyola Marymount University.

The annual competition, organized by the Florida Justice Association, challenges law students to demonstrate their trial advocacy skills in front of experienced judges and practicing attorneys. STU's remarkable performance underscores the excellence of its trial training program, further establishing its reputation as one of the top law schools in Florida.

The first-place team, comprised of first-time competitors Rhod Belizaire, Juan Estevez, Nadia Bernal, and Frances Lissabet, impressed judges with their skillful arguments and courtroom presentation. Meanwhile, the runner-up team featured Constanza Musetti, Monica Lopez, Juliette Nardo, and Melody Blanco, who not only showcased their legal acumen but also earned the Best Advocate Award during the final round, a testament to their outstanding individual performances.

Dean Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro expressed immense pride in the students' achievements, stating, "I am incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and dedication. This accomplishment is a testament to their commitment and skills. I also want to extend my gratitude to our coaches and alumni who return to support and mentor our teams; their involvement enriches our program and fosters a true spirit of teamwork. Together, we are building a remarkable culture of excellence at St. Thomas University College of Law."

The students were expertly coached by faculty members Professor Houston Lafrance, Karina Harduvel, Conor Sloan, Idan Livnat, and Ernesto Leo. Their guidance and mentorship played an instrumental role in preparing the students for the challenges of the competition. Additionally, STU Law alumni volunteers returned to support their training, further enhancing the readiness of the competing teams.

The success at the Florida Justice Association Mock Trial Competition, along with a previous victory at the 2025 Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition, has solidified St. Thomas University College of Law’s standing as a premier law program in the state, known for producing exceptional trial attorneys capable of thriving in real-world legal environments.

About St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University (STU) is recognized as one of the South's leading Catholic universities. Located in Miami Gardens, Florida, STU is a private, nonprofit institution devoted to shaping students into ethical leaders equipped for success in today's global community. With a rich blend of cultural and international diversity, STU holds the distinction of being the only Archdiocesan university in Florida and one of just eleven nationwide.
The university offers a comprehensive array of more than 60 undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs, both online and on-campus, through its College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Law, Gus Machado College of Business, and Biscayne College for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Under the leadership of President David A. Armstrong, J.D., the new "Pursue Excellence" strategic vision aims to launch a new 99,000-square-foot STEM and nursing building, expand the College of Law and provide improved athletic facilities, which will further enhance the educational offerings at STU.